Spring Break in Washington State
 

As a fairly new resident of Wa state, I have not explored too much outside of our local area (eastside of Seattle). For Spring Break next month, we have decided to travel around the state a bit. There is so much to see though, where do I start?
I am hoping that someone with more experience can help me out.

I think we will probably head out toward the islands, but am not sure where to go.
We have two kids, elementary age, that will be with us, so while galleries and quaint shops are ok to an extent, there has to be something more available to the kids.
Then, of course, there's the issue of lodging. Are there family-friendly places to stay? Mostly, I've seen ads for B&Bs.

I'd love to schedule a cruise to see the Orcas or at least get to San Juan island to Lime Kiln Park to possibly see them (my son is a huge fan!)

We're also interested in the La Connor area and the Tulip Festival.

If you can offer any help, I'd appreciate it!

The Orcas are not in the San Juans all year round, and I don't think you are likely to see them in April.
Roche Harbor is a good place for kids to stay on San Juan Island. You can rent kayaks there and probably bicycles.
The NW Cascades Nat Park is beautiful, and just off to the east as you head north to the tulip fields and Anacortes for the ferry. We stayed at the Skagit River Resort, which had many bunny rabbits on the lawn. You can find it on the web. This was years ago, but I doubt it has changed.

How about the Long Beach peninsula? While Long Beach itself is a bit low on the quaint factor (but it does have lots of amusements for kids), Ilwaco, Ocean Park, and Seaview are all nice. It's a great place for families. There are 26 miles of beach (great for kite flying and horseback riding), Cape Disappointment and North Head lighthouses, Fort Canby State Park, the Lewis and Clark center, the Willapa National Wildlife Refuge, a wide range of accomodations and some excellent restaurants.
http://www.funbeach.com/

Embarassment of riches is our problem...

After a rainy winter, you might also think about going east. In April the Palouse country (around Pullman, Dayton, Walla Walla) is simply gorgeous - rolling wheatfields in more shades of green than you can imagine, waterfalls (try Palouse Falls) in full flow... Go via Yakima and visit the Yakama tribal HQ in Toppenish (interesting for the kids and their folks too).

Speaking of gorge(ou)s, come back by way of the Columbia Gorge. Fabulous scenery, waterfalls, visit the hatchery at Bonneville or the Maryhill Museum or the Goldendale Observatory (or Stonehenge); watch the windsurfers at Hood River. Visit Portland (the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry - OMSI - is one of the best kids' attractions going) and maybe stop at Mt. St. Helens on the way back north.

It's an easy route, plenty of affordable accommodation (much more so than the San Juans) and the roads will be good and empty of tourists. And it will be a great introduction to this amazing region.

I'll second the Long Beach recommendation. It reminds me of all of the beach cities on the east coast...Virginia Beach, the Jersey shore, etc. Lots of rides and tacky shops. Great beach activity.

I will definitely look into the Long Beach idea. I hadn't thought of that. Any helpful specifics?

If we make a trip east, we will most likely go to Leavenworth. I haven't been there yet and it is high on my list. The mountains (esp in winter) make me nervous or I would have gone there already :-)

Thanks for the suggestions so far!

Leavenworth is a great area. The town is small, so easy to just wander, and there are a few fun stores for the kids. Definitely hit the Gingerbread Factory. When we lived NE of Seattle, we spent a lot of time over there in all seasons and loved it. Wonderful hiking all around, with trails that are easy enough for smaller children too.

A place that we like to stay at is Pension Annas. There is a chapel room that has a master bedroom, but then two twins up in the loft area. It is a perfect setup for our family.

You might want to consider renting a cabin/home. We have done that many times, and it works well with kids. www.Eaglecreekcottage.com is a great place, as is www.stillwaterslodge.net. www.destinationleavenworth.com has quite a few rental homes as well.

Can anyone tell me what kind of weather to expect in Leavenworth in mid-April?? -or in any of the mentioned areas for that matter?

Thanks again.

I just found the greatest (looking) inn on Whidbey Island. I may have to go there just so I can stay at this place - it's the Saratoga Inn.

You might be able to see some whales off San Juan Island. Summer is usually best for whale watching in the San Juans, but there is a pod that lives there year round, and the whale watching boats all have tracking devices. The whale museum website has info on when you can best see whales as well as the best tour operators-you might call them and ask about the chances in April of seeing orcas:

http://www.whale-museum.org/educatio.../arrivals.html

There are some kid friendly resorts in the islands, like West Beach Resort (I've never been, but have friends with kids who love it). They'll offer plenty to do so you won't have to drag the kids into art galleries.

Some of the sites recommended on the coast-Fort Canby State Park, Cape Disappointment, etc, are really neat, but the coast can still be cool, windy and rainy in April.

The thing about Leavenworth in April is that the snow will have melted from the town (so no snow play), but it will still be blocking roads and trails outside of town (so no hiking). I'm not sure what that leaves for kids to do.

Just saw your last post-Whidbey is a great idea. Deception Pass State Park, South Whidbey State Park and Ebey's Landing National Historical Reserve are all wonderful stops. There's lots of short hiking trails and beaches in these places.

Like Christy said, the snow could be an issue. However, most spring breaks we were in the area and never had a problem with the lower trails. Blackbird Island, right in town, is a great place to explore and kids seem to really enjoy it. Just an idea:)

I've heard that the San Juans are sunny 200+ days of the year, unlike Seattle. Does the same apply to Whidbey Island? Is it likely to be sunny and moderate in April?

No, not really. That San Juan rain shadow thing is greatly exaggerated anyway, in my opinion. It's not at all the dramatic change as when you drive to the other side of the Cascades. The islands do statistically get less rain but in my experience (28 years of vacationing there and 2 years of working there) if it's rainy/cloudy in Seattle, it's at least cloudy in the San Juans.

Whidbey in April, there's really no telling. It might be rainy and 50s or sunny and 60.